Lowell, Bowie, or Stoneman, he had heard mention of a mysterious
hiding-place in the Cababi Mountains whither, when pressed by
sheriffs' posses, Pasqual Morales had been wont to flee with his
chosen followers and there bid defiance to pursuit. And now the young
soldier saw at a glance that the chase was heading along a fairly well
defined track straight for a dark, frowning gorge in the mountains
some three or four miles ahead of them. If allowed to gain that refuge
it might be possible for Morales to successfully resist attack. With
quick decision Drummond turned to the men still seated in saddle.

"Dismount where you are, you two. Reset all four saddles. We mount
again here, sergeant, and we'll take the gallop as soon as the troop
comes up."

"It's the only way, I believe, sir," answered Lee, his eyes kindling,
his lips quivering with pent excitement. "Most of them will stampede,
I reckon, if we strike them in the open. But once they get among the
rocks, we'd have no chance at all."

Drummond merely nodded. Field-glasses in hand he was closely studying
the receding party, moving now at leisurely gait as though assured of
safety. His heart was beating hard, his blood was bounding in his
veins. He had had some lively brushes with the Indian foe, but no such
scrimmage as this promised to be. Never once had there been at stake
anything to compare with what lay here before his eyes. Sometimes in
boyish day-dreams he had pictured to himself adventures of this
character,--the rescue of imperilled beauty from marauding foe; but
never had he thought it possible that it would actually be his fortune
to stand first in the field, riding to the rescue of the fair
daughters of one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the
Territory. In view of their peril the paymaster's stolen funds were
not be considered. Jim Drummond hardly gave a single thought to the
recapture of the safe. So far as he could judge the forces were about
equally matched. Some saddle-horses led along after the wagons seemed
to indicate that their usual riders were, perhaps, with others of the
band, resting in the wagons themselves. Surprise now was out of the
question. He would marshal his men behind the low ridge on which he
lay, form line, then move forward at the lope. No matter how noiseless
might be the advance, or how wearied or absorbed their quarry, some
one in the outlaw gang would surely see them long before they could
come within close range